298 THE CONCAVE-SEATED SHOE. 



from the level with the lower surface of the shoe, that 

 it shall certainly touch it when the ground is any way 

 soft or uneven. 



The heels will form the last, and one of the most 

 important points of consideration; for, from unequal 

 or undue pressure on them, much mischief often arises. 

 The inner heel is always the weaker of the two ; the 

 principal wear will be on it ; and near to it, in the 

 majority of instances, corns will be found. The growth 

 of the inner heel must be encouraged as much as pos- 

 sible; a little only must generally be pared from it ; 

 but particular care must be taken that it is not left 

 perceptibly lower than the other. 



Then comes the selection of the shoe to suit the 

 different feet. It should, with few exceptions, be the 

 concave-seated shoe; with a web equally thick from 

 the toe to the heel ; but the bearing of the shoe will 

 strangely vary with the kind of foot. It is scarcely 

 possible that a shoe, thinner at the heel than at the 

 toe, can ever be serviceable ; on the contrary, it will 

 generally occasion lameness, by throwing undue stress 

 on the flexor tendon. It will be a fruitful source of 

 sprain of the back sinews ; also of the navicular dis- 

 ease. On the other hand, a shoe a little elevated at 

 the heel may favour a leg weak in the back sinews. 

 In the hinder foot, and particularly in draught-horses, 

 custom has sanctioned the use of a shoe raised at the 

 heel by caulkins. This certainly gives the horse u 

 better purchase ; enables him to descend a hill more 

 securely ; as well as to draw a heavier load. But 

 this custom of hisrh caulkins is often carried to an 



